What is a Public Adjuster? - A Public Adjuster is an Independent Insurance Professional that a Policyholder may hire to help settle an insurance claim on his or her behalf.

What is the Insurance Appraisal Process? - Appraisal is a Policy Provision found in the Loss Settlement section. It is an Alternate Method of Dispute Resolution, which can resolve disagreement when the Carrier and Policyholder do not agree on the amount of loss. It is an alternative to a Legal Proceedings. (A Public Adjuster Cannot Represent you as the Public Adjuster and Appraiser at the Same Time)

What's an Umpire and how do they fit into the appraisal process?

In case the insured and this Company shall fail to agree as to the actual cash value or the amount of loss, then, on the written demand of either, each shall select a competent and disinterested appraiser and notify the other of the appraiser selected within twenty days of such demand.  The appraisers shall first select a competent and disinterested umpire; and failing for fifteen days to agree upon such umpire, then on request of the insured or this Company such umpire shall be selected by a judge of a court of record in the state in which the property covered is located.  The appraisers shall then appraise the loss, stating separately actual cash value and loss to each item; and failing to agree, shall submit their differences, only, to the umpire.  An award in writing, so itemized, of any two when filed with this Company shall determine the amount of actual cash value and loss. Each appraiser shall be paid by the party selecting him and the expenses of appraisal and umpire shall be paid by the parties equally.

LA. R.S. 22:691